American Farmland Trust's projects in Pennsylvania enlist farmers, environmentalists, urbanites and rural dwellers-everybody who must work together if agriculture is to have a chance.
Keeping Agriculture Strong on a Regional Basis
AFT recently completed an assessment of agricultural viability in Berks and Schuylkill counties. Commissioned by the Berks County Community Foundation, the report analyzed the region's agricultural sustainability and made recommendations to address the challenges of declining farm profitability, competition for land, and lack of public appreciation and leadership for agriculture in the region. Recommendations included creating an agricultural economic development entity and designing an education campaign for government officials and the general public on agricultural issues. The study's advisory committee recently convened to discuss implementation of this new plan for the future viability of agriculture in the two counties.
Read Challenges and Opportunities for Agricultural Viability in Berks and Schuylkill Counties AFT's Services
Lancaster County Increases Support for Farmland Protection
Support for farms and farming continues to rise in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The county is developing a rural strategy squarely aimed at farmland protection and agricultural viability, a blue ribbon commission has identified techniques for making farming more profitable and county officials have issued a $25 million bond primarily for farmland protection. AFT's consulting services team helped develop the land use plan's rural strategy and provided technical assistance and support for the on-the-ground efforts of the Blue Ribbon Commission and others interested in sustaining farmland and the agricultural industry in Lancaster County. Lancaster Comprehensive Plan
Lancaster Agricultural Preserve Board AFT's Services
